RUUD CANNOT FORGET THE NAZIS

Last updated : 13 June 2004 By Editor

From The Sunday Mail:

The Manchester United star raised the tension between the old rivals to fever pitch when he said his country had never forgotten how the Nazis occupied their land.

Ruud raged: 'This is not just about football history it's about real history and what went on 60 years ago.'

Dutch coach Dick Advocaat had earlier compared the rivalry between Germany and Holland to the hate that exists between Old Firm fans.

But with memories of the war having been revived by the recent 60th anniversary of D-Day, van Nistelrooy went even further.

He said: 'It's hard to take the emotions out of this game.

'History plays a part and emotions are running high.'

Van Nistelrooy's comments came as an anti-German hate campaign continued to build in Holland.

There have been German-bashing games on the internet and voodoo dolls wearing German strips.

German coach Rudi Voeller said: 'Some of the things done are below the belt but it's not important to us.'

Voeller was spat on by Dutch legend Frank Rijkaard after both were sent off at the 1990 World Cup in Italy.